could be required

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be required" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential obligations or necessities in various contexts, such as regulations, procedures, or requirements. Example: "In certain situations, additional documentation could be required to complete the application process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

At any stage, 60 votes could be required.

The New York Times - Health

What finer qualifications could be required for the latest sage of the news business?

The Guardian

*A patient filing an appeal could be required to pay a $50 fee.

The New York Times

Mr. Bauer and Mr. Scheper could be required to testify, or in the extreme, be disqualified.

The New York Times

Firms could be required to release the land for someone else to build on the property.

The Guardian - Business

It could be required to pay back taxes and penalties if the I.R.S. ruled against it.

The New York Times

A hearing could be required or further evidence sought before the G.A.O.

The New York Times

All students giving degree recitals could be required to perform works written expressly for them.

The New York Times - Arts

Those who did, the contracts stipulated, could be required to pay damages of $1 million.

The New York Times

If it falls below $5, some investors could be required to sell, The Journal notes.

The New York Times

In addition, bondholders could be required to accept lower terms if a bank neared insolvency.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be required", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is imposing the requirement. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "could be required" excessively in passive constructions. Opt for active voice when possible to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "Additional documentation could be required by the committee", try "The committee could require additional documentation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be required" functions as a modal auxiliary construction, expressing a condition or possibility of something being necessary or obligatory. It indicates that a requirement is not definite but contingent on certain factors. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be required" is a versatile modal auxiliary construction used to express a conditional necessity or potential obligation. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Its frequency is very common, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it is crucial to provide clear context to specify who or what imposes the requirement and to avoid overuse of passive voice. Related phrases include "may be necessary" and "might be needed", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be necessary

Replaces the modal verb "could" with "may", softening the obligation while retaining the sense of potential necessity.

might be needed

Substitutes "required" with "needed", conveying a slightly less formal tone while maintaining the core meaning.

may be obligatory

Replaces "required" with "obligatory", emphasizing the binding nature of the requirement.

might be compulsory

Similar to "may be obligatory", this phrase underscores the mandatory aspect using the word "compulsory".

could be essential

Changes "required" to "essential", focusing on the importance or indispensability of something.

could be mandatory

Similar in meaning to "may be obligatory" and "might be compulsory", highlighting the enforced nature of the requirement.

might prove necessary

Emphasizes the potential for something to become necessary in the future, adding a degree of uncertainty.

may turn out to be needed

Suggests a future need that is not yet certain, similar to "might prove necessary" but with a slightly more conversational tone.

could become a necessity

Highlights the potential transformation of something into a necessity over time.

might have to be done

Indicates a potential obligation using a more informal phrasing.

FAQs

How can I use "could be required" in a sentence?

The phrase "could be required" indicates a conditional necessity. For example, "Additional information "could be required" to process your application".

What phrases are similar to "could be required"?

You can use alternatives like "may be necessary", "might be needed", or "may be obligatory" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "could be required"?

"Could be required" is appropriate when discussing potential obligations or necessities that are not yet definite. It suggests a possibility or conditionality.

Is there a difference between "could be required" and "must be required"?

Yes, "could be required" suggests a possibility, while "must be required" implies a stronger obligation or necessity. "Must be required" indicates something is definitely needed, whereas "could be required" indicates a conditional need.